Filter



W. B. KLEIN Sept. 2, 1947.

FILTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Ot. 23. 1944 gasaa' l I! llllllllll vllllll'Onill W. B. KLEIN Sept. 2, 1947.k

FILTER Filed Oct. 23, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Patented Sept. 2, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I- 2,42% I* 6 Claims. (Cl. 21o-181) The filter, of the present invention is of` the class which employsjdiatomaceous earth or the like to lter liquids containing solids in suspension'and the objects of the present invention are to provide filter leaves'which are so constructed as to secure'a uniform. consistent iiow and a high clarity of filtrate. In lters of this general character, means are provided for building up a del posit of the filtering medium on a very fine mesh screen or the like, which deposit servesl as the ltering medium which not only prevents the passage of the diatomaceous particles contained in the slurry admittedto the tank, but also removes all foreign matter in suspension so that the liquid finally discharged from the filter leaves will be clear and unpolluted by foreign material.

The present invention is directed particularly' to the formation of the screen grids which pro- Vide a mounting for the mesh upon which the filtering medium is deposited. The screen grids of the present invention are in the form of corrugated plates in which the channels afforded by the corrugations run longitudinally (preferably vertically) in conjunction with upper and lower headers into which the ends of the grid plates project and which thus afford passageways for thedischarge of the filtered liquid. At the same time the corrugated formation of the grid plates themselves permits the latter to be formed of relatively thin sheet material, such as stainless steel or the like, while providing sufficient stiffness and rigidity, with aA minimum of Weight consistent with the strength required.

The grid plates thus formed provide on opposite sides, a multiplicity of uninterrupted channels which afford no barriers to the liquid fiow and may be readily cleaned by swinging back the cover4 and flushing the interior of the tank and the filtering elements with a hose as will morel fully appear from the following description.

The filter, as a whole, is so constructed as to be easily accessible and the lter leaves themselves may be individually removed or replaced without difficulty as occasion may require.

Further objects and details will appear from a description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe filter as a whole, partly broken away to reveal the interior;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the filter leaves showing the corrugated grid plate with the mesh removed and at the left with the mesh in place;

Fig. 3 is a much enlarged cross-sectional fragby clamping screws I6 carried by pivoted vbrackets I'I and operated b'y handwheels I8 in a man- 2 the corrugated grid plate., extensions and the mesh on opposite sides thereof;

Fig. 3a is a fragmental sectional view of one of the outer edges of the corrugated grid plate with the edge reenforcement secured thereto;

Fig. 4 is a much enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper header and associatedparts taken on line `i-Il of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5' is a sectional view on a somewhat smaller scale of the manifold which mounts the group of filter leaves, with one of the 'lower headers mounted thereon;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the manifold on a somewhat smaller scale; and

Fig. i is a side elevation, partly broken away, ofA the manifold and the mountings therefor;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional elevation 'of the washout fitting and the handwheel for ad-. vancing and retracting the sealing cap;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the same; and n Fig. 10 is an end view looking from the left of Fig. 9.

The filter, as a whole, comprises a cylindrical tank I0 closed at its upper end by a cover II carried by a center spindle I2 threaded through the free end of a swinging arm I3 pivoted at its outer end on a post I4. Thespindle terminates yin a handwheel I5, which permits the cover to be raised and thereafter swung toy one side to expose the interior of the' tank. When the cover is properly centered and lowered, it will be sealed ner well understood in the art. These features are of conventional type and form no part of the invention.

The slurry, containing particles of diatomaceous earth or the like in suspension, is forced in under pressure through an opening I9 near the base of the tank within which is located a Vgroup of the filter leaves 20 which more particularly form the subject matter of the present invention.

mental view of the center tubular column'witht 25 and 26 the former of which is extended inte- Y grally on `each side to provide a fiat inner wing section 21, which merges into the outer grid corrugated plate section 28, which is formed to provide on each side a plurality of outwardly extending crests 29 and intervening channels'30 arranged in staggered relation to one another on opposite sides of the plate. The center tubular column is completed by the provision of the section 26 which terminates in outwardly extending flat wings 3| which are welded. or otherwise rigidly united with the Wings 21 which afford at surfaces for the s'ecurement of the inner edges of the fine mesh 32 which provides thesurface for the accumulation of a layer or deposit of filtering material 33 indicated at the left of Fig. 3. By forming the body of the filter leaf in the manner described, it is possible to press the entire body plate with the exception of the half -tubular section 26 from a single sheet of stainless steel or the like thus avoiding a multiplicity of joints or connections and at the same time securing a 'maximum ofrigidity and freedom from interior protuberances or offsets which would tend to interfere with the smooth and uniform flow of the liquid. Thus constructed each leaf, on oppo lsite sides of the center tubular column, provides a multiplicity of unimpeded smooth surfaced channels within the confines of the mesh so that the liquid after filtration will flow freely either upwardly or downwardly in a vertical direction through the channels thus afforded.

The upper header sections 2| are of split tubular formation and terminate along their lower side in wings 34, which are spaced apart suflciently to make close abutment vwith the crests ofy are likewise divided to vertical wings at their inner juncture and are the corrugations along the upper edge of the grid plate and at the same time present smooth outer surfaces for the attachment thereto of the upper edges of the mesh sections which are preferably secured by soldering while the inner edges of the mesh sections are likewise soldered to the vertically extending united wings v2'! and 3| of the center column. By soldering the edges of the y mesh to the surfaces thus presented, a close rigid 'sealed union is provided while at the same time the employment of solder permits the mesh to be disconnected without diilicultyfor purposes of renewal as occasion may require.

i As shown in Fig. 4, the vertical channels afforded by the g'rid plate open directly into the interior I of the upper header sections, and in order to provide a union between the upper header sections and the center tubular column a T`shaped head is employed which affords oppositely facing sockets 36 which receive the inner ends of the header sections 2|. 'I'he head 35 is also provided with a divided center socket portion 31 which straddles the upper end of the tubular column with its vlaterally extending united wings 21 and 3|, the assembly being firmly joined by brazing or Welding to afford divided horizontal header channels at the upper end merging into a center channel for the downow of filtered liquid which is admitted through the upper portion of the filter leaf.

As shown the upper center of the head is cut away to provide a center opening which is covered by half-cylindrical mesh section 38 upon which the filtering medium will likewise be deposited, and through which air will be expelled.

' The inner ends of the lower header sections 22 are similarly united by a head 39 comprising lat-` erally extending sockets 40, an upwardly extend-l ing socket 4| and a tubular neck 42 terminating in an arcuate saddle 43 as best shown in Fig. 5. The lower header sections 22 along their upper sides are open and provided with wings 44 which overlap and are secured to the corrugated surfaces of the grid plate and the sockets and 4| united by a web 45 which likewise overlaps and is rigidly secured to the wings so that a rigid` sealed union will be afforded between the inner `ends of the lower header sections and the vertical tubular column, thereby affording a convergingpoint for the flow of liquid down through the tubular column and the inwardlydirected ow through the lower header sections. The union also alords greaterrig'idity of structure with a minimum of Weight and a minimum in the number of parts thus united at the base of the filter leaf.

The entire group of filter leaves is supported upon a horizontallyextendingmanifold 46 near I the base of the filter tank, which manifold along its upper surface is provided with a multiplicity of closely spaced upstanding nipples 41 each of which is shouldered to afford a seat for a gasket ring 48 against which the inner face of the neck 42 abuts to afford a seal while the nipple itself, in con-y junction With the saddle 43, serves to hold the filter leaf-firmly in upstanding position upon theV manifold, the leaves standing in closely spaced parallel relation as indicated in Fig. 1.

The inner end of the manifold is closed bya screw cap 49 while the outer .discharge end 56 is threaded to receive a coupling or the like'not shown) behind which is located a disk gland 5| through which the end .of the manifold extends in eccentric relation, as shown, which disk gland is secured by bolts 52 or the like to a, ring 53 secured in any suitable manner to the wall of the filter tank, thus permitting the disk to be disconnected, whilefthe low eccentric relation of the manifold increases the space within the tank available for filtering elements of the greatest height which the tank ywill accommodate. In

many cases, however, a concentric arrangement may be preferred.

The 'disk gland ris provided on its inner face Ywith a beveled flange 54 which bears against a packing 55 which lies Within a shouldered collar 56 eccentrically mounted on the manifold and rigidly securedand sealed thereon by welding 51 or the like. The collar 55 is provided on its inner side with a peripheral flange 58 which ts snugly within the recessed face 59 of the ring 53 and carries an inwardly projecting pilot pin 60 which registers with an aperture 6| near the inner margin of. the recessed ring 53 to assist in the.

proper positioning of the manifold.

The ends of the upper and lower header sections are closed by caps 63 which may be screwed on to the ends of connecting rods 64 which extend through the upper or lower header sections as the case may be. This permits the plug at each end to be removed for purposes of cleaning.

As shown in Fig. 3a the outer side edges of the grid plate are reenforced by rods 64a around which are curved vertical edging members 65 of split tubular form provided with inwardly extending wings 66 which embrace the associated edge of the gridplateand which are brazed,

Welded, or otherwise rigidly united therewith, and the wings afford fiat attaching faces for the edgesstraddle the lateral and l formation, secured to the tank by bolts or the like and comprising an upwardly extending neck 1I which on one side merges into an inlet duct 12 and on the other side into a clean out duct 13 of larger diameter, but with the bases of the two Aducts lying flush and merging into' the base of ner end 83 of an operating rod 84 which amounts an operating device such as a handwheel 85 on its outer-end while the inner threaded end o'f the rod is locked in/place by a cross pin 86.

The base of the boss is enlarged in the form of a shoulder 81 which mounts a laterally extending guide bar 88 held in place by a jamb nut 89, thus affording a mounting for holding the sealing head rigidly on the inner end of the rod,

so that by operating the handwheel or other equiv- 1 alent device, which is conveniently placed beyond the wall of the tank, the sealing head can be screwed in place to seal the washer squarely against the mouthl of the outlet duct without the possibility of grit or sediment becoming lodged, as in a valve seat, to impair the effectiveness of the seal thus afforded.

The rod 84`extends through the base of a hanger bracket 90 secured to the rim of the tank andthe outer ends of the guide bar 88 are apertured to ride upon guide rods 9|, the forward ends of which are carried by the hanger bracket while the rear ends are entered through vlugs 92 extending laterally from the side walls of the washout fitting and held rigidly in place by nuts 93. A collar 94 pinned on the operating rod acts as a sto'pv to limit the outward travel of 6 entire group of filter leaves which can be individually mounted upon the nipples or removed therefrom without difficulty.

-When it is desired to ilushyout the filter, and remove the filtering material from the mesh surface, the usual method is to swing back the cover and iiush the surfaces of the leaves with a hose. It is also possible to direct a counter-current through the filter'which will discharge the accumulated deposit on the leaves so that it can be removed from the base of the tank through the outlet duct of the wash-out fitting and wasted, if desired, or through the inlet duct and saved for the purpose of reclaiming the ltering medium. Also by removal of the caps 63, the header interiors are exposed for convenient clean-out in any 0f the usual ways. The channels afforded by the corrugated grid plates are unobstructed by cross-partitions or similar interruptions in their continuity, so that no obstructions will be afforded for the accumulation of sediment or the like, and likewise the constant and unimpeded flow of the liquid will scour the surfaces and constantly keep them in a clean 'and sanitary condition.

Although the opening I9 will ordinarily afford the point of connection for the infiowing liquid, the inlet duct .12 may be likewise employed for this purpose. The employment of the flat-faced v sealing head. movable outwardly and away from the clean out duct 13, provides for an unrestricted discharge from the base of the tank and insures against the lodgment of grit or sediment. This sealing head which normally closes the clean out duct is opened primarily for clean out purposes vand at times when the flow of liquid to be filtered is shut oi from the inlet duct 12. The employment of a handwheel on an extended operating rod affords m'eans for operating the sealing head from a convenient point and away from the outf iow of liquid from the washout fitting.

Although for structural reasons and also for the sake of economy it is desirable to form'onethe sealing head and parts associated therewith.

Operation In operation, a slurry of the proper consistency, having particles of diatomaceous earth held in suspension, is first admitted under pressure through the opening I9, or through the inlet duct 12 to the interior of the tank and is deposited on the surface of the mesh to build up a .precoating layer of filtering material of the desired thickness. Any of the solid slurry particles permeating the mesh during this. precoating period, will enter intol the filter leaves 20 and thence into the center column 23 for discharge at its lower end into the manifold 46 to be returned into the slurry stream for recirculation until the outgoing stream runs clear at which time the leaves are in condition for filtering. Thev liquid to be filtered is thereupon admitted through the inlet opening I9 or the inlet duct 12 into the clear stream to permeate through the filtering material and fiow into the oppositely disposed vertical channels 30 provided by each of the grid sections. vThe liquid entering through the upper and lower portions of the leaves will be drawn upwardly and downwardly into the respective header sections 2| and 22, the former down through the tubular column 23 to the point of junction with the lower header section, and all the liquid so ,filtered will pass downwardly into the manifold 46 for discharge through-its open-end 5Il. The manifold which is removably supported in the base of the tank affords a mounting for the half of the center tubular column integrally with the outstanding corrugated grid sections, it will be understood that themethod of mounting the sections may be. modified and-that the invention consists primarily in the formation of the filtering and grid plate'surfaces rather than in the mounting provided for retaining the same in proper position while affording channels for the withdrawal ofthe filtered liquid.

-1. In a filter, a filter leaf comprising a pair of laterally spaced, transversely aligned corrugated grid plates affording on each face a plurality of channels, headers into which the ends of the platesare entered to afford egress of liquid flowingthrough thechannels, a mesh overlying the faces of the corrugated grid plates to afford surfaces for the deposit of a filtering medium, and a tubular connection between the headers, located in the space between the corrugated plates and supporting the same.

2. In a filter, a filter leaf comprising a pair of laterally spaced, transversely aligned corrugated grid plates affording on each face a plurality of channels, headers Ainto which the ends of the lplates are entered to afford egress of liquid fiow- 3. ,In a filter, a filter leaf comprising a pair of laterally spaced, transversely aligned corrugated of the corrugated plates are entered to afford 1 egress for liquid flowing through the channels, a mesh overlying the faces of the corrugated grid plates to afford surfaces for the deposit of a ltering medium, and a hollow Vertical column connected to and communicatingy with .the 'headers and located between and supporting the grid plates.

4. In a lter, a lter leaf comprising a pair of laterally spaced, transversely aligned corrugated grid plates affording on each face a plurality of channels, horizontal headers into which the'ends of the corrugated plates are entered to afford egress for liquid flowing through the channels, a mesh overlying the faces of the corrugated grid plates to afford surfaces for the deposit of a filtering medium, and a hollow Vertical 'column connected to and communicating with the headers and located between the grid plates and formed with laterally extending attaching wings secured to said plates.

5. In a filter, a lter leaf comprising a pair of laterally spaced,`transversely aligned corrugated grid plates affording on each face a plurality of channels, horizontal headers into which the ends of the corrugated plates are entered to afford egress for liquid flowing through the channels, a mesh overlying-the faces of the corrugated grid plates to afford surfaces for the deposit of a filtering medium, and a hollow vertical column located between the grid plates and supporting the same, upper and lower coupling members connecting said column with the headers, the upper coupling member being approximately T-shaped and having a recess located between the connected ends of the upper headers and a wire mesh covering the recess and adapted also to receive filtering medium.

6. I n a filter, a filter leaf comprising a pair of laterally spaced, transversely aligned corrugated grid plates affording on each face a plurality of channels, horizontal headers into which the ends of the corrugated plates are entered tolaiford 'egress for liquid flowing through the channels, ak 'mesh overlying the faces of the corrugated grid plates to afford surfaces for the deposit of a ltering medium, a hollow vertical column located be- -tween the grid plates and supporting the same, .upper and lower coupling members connecting said column with the headers, the upper coupling .member being approximately T-shaped and having a recess located between the connected `ends of the upper headers and a wire mesh covering the recess and adapted also to receive filtering medium, and the lower coupling member terminating in an arcuate saddle.

vWILLIAM B. KLEIN.

' VREFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the i'lle of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS 18,409 Australia Mar. 20. 1930 

